Democrats Ask Obama To Take Executive Action On Guns

Congressional efforts to enact gun control measures have gone nowhere, and in the wake of several high-profile shootings, a group of frustrated Democratshave implored President Obama to act.

In a letter signed by Demoratic Reps. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Adam Schiff of California, Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut, and Robin Kelly of Illinois, Obama is urged to use executive authority to require gun manufacturers who deal weapons to the federal government to implement more rigorous safety standards.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

Some gun makers like Glock and Smith & Wesson, receive multimillion-dollar contracts form the federal government in addition to selling firearms to the public, The Huffington Post reported.

"We should use our buying power to encourage gun manufacturers to research and create smart guns, to regulate the sales of their guns to ensure that they are only sold to reputable and authorized sellers who conduct background searches on all purchases, and encourage manufacturers to work with local law enforcement," the Nov. 12 letter reads.

“We should not award tax payer-funded contracts to gun manufacturers who consistently show a disregard for consumer safety and an unwillingness to help keep guns out of the hands of those who would harm others," the letter continues.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

ADVERTISEMENT

Thanks for watching!

Obama using executive action is not entirely out of the question, although he has yet to respond to the letter.

"The president has made clear that he'll do as much as he possibly can within his power to try to prevent those who shouldn’t have guns from getting them in the first place," White House press secretary Josh Earnest said in a briefing in October, according to The Huffington Post.

"And the president believes strongly that we can do that without undermining the fundamental constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans," he added.